The CEC commented on the prospects for elections in Ukraine
19 December 09:39
EXCLUSIVE
The holding of elections in Ukraine directly depends on the security situation and legislative decisions of the Verkhovna Rada. This was stated by Deputy Chairman of the Central Election Commission Serhiy Dubovyk in a commentary to "Komersant Ukrainian", commenting on the discussions about post-war elections: will we vote in “Diia”?
According to him, the CEC is currently acting exclusively within the framework of the current legislation, which explicitly prohibits holding elections during martial law.
Elections during the war: what the law says
Dubovyk emphasized that today the legal framework does not provide for any electoral procedures in times of war.
“The Central Election Commission proceeds from the existing legal framework. Today, elections are not held under martial law,” he emphasized.
He also reminded that the President of Ukraine in his statements on the elections clearly focused on security issues and asked the Parliament to study the possibility of organizing the election process – both in case of lifting martial law and in the post-war period.
Security is a key condition for any election
According to the deputy head of the CEC, even a hypothetical discussion of election preparations is impossible while Ukraine is undergoing systemic attacks.
“The question of organizing preparations for the elections cannot be raised until the systematic destruction of the territory of Ukraine by heavy and strategic weapons is stopped,” Dubovyk said.
He emphasized that the security factor is decisive, regardless of political discussions or public demand.
Post-war elections require new rules
The CEC notes that even after the end of martial law, the current electoral legislation needs to be updated to reflect new realities.
In particular, it is about:
- possible changes to the Electoral Code;
- or the adoption of a special law adapted to post-war conditions.
“We need to adopt either amendments to the code or a special law, perhaps tailored to specific circumstances, which will change it a little. But everyone needs the rules by which elections will be held. Both state institutions and, first of all, the political infrastructure represented by political parties and public organizations and the media, which are also integral subjects of the electoral process,” the official explained.
According to him, the CEC has been emphasizing the need for such changes since 2022.
Working group in parliament: what the CEC expects
Serhiy Dubovyk praised the launch of a special working group in the Verkhovna Rada, which is to develop legislative solutions for elections in the post-war period.
“Therefore, we welcome the start of the work of this working group and hope that it will result in the development and adoption of a draft law that will create clear rules for organizing elections in the post-war period,” he concluded.
Thus, the Central Election Commission emphasizes that security, law and clear rules are three key conditions for the upcoming elections in Ukraine.
